Moving my 29 gallon reef to a 125 gallon tank... Is this plan feasible?

20 20 · 04/19/2006, 05:05 PM

I've currently got a 125 gallon African cichlid tank, along with my 29 gallon reef tank. I'm considering either turning the big tank into a FOWLR, or possibly moving my 29 gallon reef over to the 125 gallon. So, I 'have a plan' on moving my 29 gallon, and was wondering if it was feasible, or if I should do something different.

First, here's what's in my 29 gallon:

About 40 lbs LR.
About 25-30 lbs aragonite substrate.
15 gallon sump, mag 5 return pump.
Fuge integrated into the sump, with LR rubble and chaeto.
Coralife 65 SuperSkimmer 'in-sump'.
130 watt's PC lighting.
3 additional powerheads in the tank for flow.
About 15 assorted softies and LPS.
False perc, 6-line wrasse, flame angel, bicolor psuedochromis, and lawnmower blennie.

Now, my 'hardware list' for my 125, if I 'go reef':
125 gallon AGA tank, megaflow.
30 gallon sump, mag 7 return pump.
ASM G3 skimmer, in sump.
Separate 10-20 gallon fuge, LR rubble and chaeto.
Closed loop for flow, possible mag24 pump, with a Calfo-style manifold for the returns.
2 powerheads for flow behind the LR.
'Appropriate' lighting. Either T5HO, or MH+PC.

First I'd have to get rid of the cichlids, and then clean the tank well. Hook up all the plumbing and test for NO leaks. Then, the fun part. Moving the 29 reef into the big tank. This is where I question if this is a good way to go about it. My plan:

1 - Mix up and age appropriate amount of salt water for the 125. Parameters will match the 29 gallon parameters. PH, salinity, alk, calcium, etc.

2 - Put about 75 pounds of new aragonite substrate in the big tank, and add the new salt water.

3 - Add around 80 pounds new base rock to big tank.

4 - Move substrate/LR from 29 gallon to the big tank.

5 - Move water, corals, and fish from 29 gallon to big tank.

6 - Move sand, LR, and cheato from the existing sump/fuge to the new fuge.

So, could I do all that in the same day (mix the water ahead of time, though), and be successfull? What could I do differently/better? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Kevinnap · 04/19/2006, 05:29 PM

As long as the 125 has not been dosed with copper, it should be fine. I would not do all 6 steps of the move in one day. I would do 1 and 2 and then let it sit for a few days, with flow and heater. Then move the substrate and add the base rock. again let it sit for a few days. The 4, 5 and 6. Slowly is always better, and I have created a lot of problems trying to rush things in the past. As long as your parameters are the same in both tanks, you should not have a cycle, but test for ammonia before you move into steps 4, 5, and 6. Good Luck with your move.

20 20 · 04/19/2006, 07:23 PM

No copper has been used in the 125. The only 'additive' has been Genesis for removing chlorine from tap water, and Malawi buffer from SeaChem.

I think you've got some of the numbers mixed up, either that or I'm really tired.

You said do steps 1 and 2 first, which is the water and new aragonite substrate, and wait for a couple of days. Then add the substrate and base rock. But the substrate would already have been added in the first 'phase'. And why couldn't the new base rock be added to the big tank in the first phase? Just a bit confused, that's all...

04/19/2006, 05:05 PM	#1
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Moving my 29 gallon reef to a 125 gallon tank... Is this plan feasible? I've currently got a 125 gallon African cichlid tank, along with my 29 gallon reef tank. I'm considering either turning the big tank into a FOWLR, or possibly moving my 29 gallon reef over to the 125 gallon. So, I 'have a plan' on moving my 29 gallon, and was wondering if it was feasible, or if I should do something different. First, here's what's in my 29 gallon: About 40 lbs LR. About 25-30 lbs aragonite substrate. 15 gallon sump, mag 5 return pump. Fuge integrated into the sump, with LR rubble and chaeto. Coralife 65 SuperSkimmer 'in-sump'. 130 watt's PC lighting. 3 additional powerheads in the tank for flow. About 15 assorted softies and LPS. False perc, 6-line wrasse, flame angel, bicolor psuedochromis, and lawnmower blennie. Now, my 'hardware list' for my 125, if I 'go reef': 125 gallon AGA tank, megaflow. 30 gallon sump, mag 7 return pump. ASM G3 skimmer, in sump. Separate 10-20 gallon fuge, LR rubble and chaeto. Closed loop for flow, possible mag24 pump, with a Calfo-style manifold for the returns. 2 powerheads for flow behind the LR. 'Appropriate' lighting. Either T5HO, or MH+PC. First I'd have to get rid of the cichlids, and then clean the tank well. Hook up all the plumbing and test for NO leaks. Then, the fun part. Moving the 29 reef into the big tank. This is where I question if this is a good way to go about it. My plan: 1 - Mix up and age appropriate amount of salt water for the 125. Parameters will match the 29 gallon parameters. PH, salinity, alk, calcium, etc. 2 - Put about 75 pounds of new aragonite substrate in the big tank, and add the new salt water. 3 - Add around 80 pounds new base rock to big tank. 4 - Move substrate/LR from 29 gallon to the big tank. 5 - Move water, corals, and fish from 29 gallon to big tank. 6 - Move sand, LR, and cheato from the existing sump/fuge to the new fuge. So, could I do all that in the same day (mix the water ahead of time, though), and be successfull? What could I do differently/better? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

04/19/2006, 05:29 PM	#2
Kevinnap Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 121	As long as the 125 has not been dosed with copper, it should be fine. I would not do all 6 steps of the move in one day. I would do 1 and 2 and then let it sit for a few days, with flow and heater. Then move the substrate and add the base rock. again let it sit for a few days. The 4, 5 and 6. Slowly is always better, and I have created a lot of problems trying to rush things in the past. As long as your parameters are the same in both tanks, you should not have a cycle, but test for ammonia before you move into steps 4, 5, and 6. Good Luck with your move. __________________ Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. Current Tank Info: 135G Oceanic, 3 Aquamedic 250w DE , Deltec ap600 skimmer

04/19/2006, 07:23 PM	#3
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	No copper has been used in the 125. The only 'additive' has been Genesis for removing chlorine from tap water, and Malawi buffer from SeaChem. I think you've got some of the numbers mixed up, either that or I'm really tired. You said do steps 1 and 2 first, which is the water and new aragonite substrate, and wait for a couple of days. Then add the substrate and base rock. But the substrate would already have been added in the first 'phase'. And why couldn't the new base rock be added to the big tank in the first phase? Just a bit confused, that's all...